Mike began his sporting career in the eighth grade as an 103# wrestler. In high-school he was a dual letterman. He qualified for states and was named third-team All-Dade in wrestling and while leading his football in sacks (10.5) in only seven games. Mike was awarded a full scholarship to the University of Central Florida where he rotated as a starter at Defensive End his junior and senior year. After graduating he played FB/LB for four years in the Arena Football League winning a championship with the Orlando Predators in 2001. Mike has competed in several local CrossFit competitions and the 2010 CrossFit Regionals. He also helped coach CrossFit Vida Brickell which qualified for the CrossFit Games in 2011. Mike was one of the pioneers of the South Florida CrossFit movement, when he opened up I Am CrossFit in 2008. He and his then partner, opened six total locations over the next eight years. He is the founder and organizer of the Crush Games, a nationally known fitness competition. In 2011, Mike also launched Formulx supplements which is known for its all-natural, grass-fed whey protein. He spends his time researching and traveling the country attending fitness and general nutrition conferences. Mike is also an eleven year firefighter / paramedic for Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. He recently got promoted to Driver Engineer.

Gioconda Pico, Owner / Coach

Gio’s drive for Health and Fitness started at the young age of 9. Having a Health food store next door to her mom’s shop, exposed her to all of the realms of fitness. The knowledge she gained about the health of the body, spirit, and mind through her exposure, instilled in her a passion that would drive her to make a career out of making a difference in people’s lives.

Gio played softball and volleyball in high school. She later went on to graduate from the University of Florida with a bachelors degree in exercise physiology. Gio worked at Doctor’s hospital as an Exercise Physiologist and then used set degree to become certified in Florida and Virginia for Health and Physical education in K-12. During 2001-2004, Gio served as a Physical Education teacher and track coach at South West Senior High. She then moved to VA from 2004-2008 where she was the department chair at TC Williams high school. She returned to Miami in 2008 to become one of first female pioneers of CrossFit. In 2010, she competed in the CrossFit regional games. Gio served as an alternate and helped coach the CrossFit Vida Brickell team that qualified for the CrossFit games in 2011. In 2012, she competed again at CrossFit regionals and the Crossfit Vida Brickell team placed fourth. In the past several years to the present, her focus is to inspire each individual to achieve their goals.

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“With an emphasis on the word TRAIN, we believe there is a clear distinction between exercising and training – we TRAIN with purpose, in order to accomplish goals.” – Mike Osuna

The founders of Train 8NINE, Mike Osuna and Gio Pico, are among the early pioneers of the CrossFit movement in South Florida. Mike co-founded “I AM CrossFit” in Doral, one of the first South Florida CrossFit affiliates, back in 2009. Discovering a successful formula for changing peoples lives, Mike and his then-partner went on to open five more boxes in Brickell, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, South Miami and City of Miami. Train 8NINE is the latest and most exciting evolution of Mike and Gio’s vision for fitness, health, longevity and community.

Through our years of experience in the fitness arena, we understand the importance of training different disciplines to better serve and accomplish one’s personal goals. Our primary focus is to guide the members of Train 8NINE on the most effective path to achieve individual goals.

Ossie Alfonzo Jr – Coach

Coach Ossie has been playing and involved in organized sports from a very young age. Upon arriving at high school his number one commitment became baseball and he was moved up to Varsity his sophomore year and by his senior year was named to the All-Dade team. He was awarded a full scholarship to continue to play at the collegiate level for Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA leading his team to the NAIA College World Series and was named First Team All Tournament Catcher in his first year on the team. He was also awarded Academic Scholar and KIAC All Conference Catcher during his tenure on the team.

Ossie began CrossFit in 2009 at I Am CrossFit – one of the first affiliates and pioneers of CrossFit in South Florida – and used weightlifting as well during his off-seasons to stay strong and prepare him for the next season. After his baseball career came to an end, he moved back to Miami and Ossie immediately began coaching CrossFit and Olympic Weightlifting. His specialty and love lies in Olympic Weightlifting where he has spent countless hours training under the guidance of some of Florida’s top Weightlifting coaches. As an athlete, he was able to compete in many local meets and medal in a vast majority of them at a very competitive weight class and was able to qualify and compete at the State and National levels as well.

Baseball is still very much a part of Ossie’s life. He has become a Strength and Conditioning coach for many high school and travel baseball teams during their off-season and has also worked with collegiate, Minor and Major League players to keep them in prime shape for their season.

Jay began with martial arts at a very young age when he was introduced to Shotokan Karate and soccer at the age of 6. He quickly found his niche in both but excelled in soccer particularly the midfield. He was named to the All National Elementary Team while living in Belize, Central America. Once in High School he was part of the first team and a regular call-up for national training. His direction had to change when he relocated to Los Angeles, California. It is there that he excelled in High school and College earning degrees in Computer Information Systems and his MBA in Project Management.

While working for a family owned CNC Machining Company, he was introduced to CrossFit and Amateur Powerlifting by a coworker in 2011, immediately acquiring a passion for coaching and helping others. In the same year he started his Jiu-Jitsu journey at the Gracie Academy in Torrance, California and continues his training now at the Valente Brothers Coral Gables Academy. Jay started coaching around the time he relocated to Miami in mid 2013 under the watchful eye of his mentor, Sergio Garcia. He eventually earned a spot on the CrossFit Gables coaching team where he became a regular.

Paul has had an active lifestyle since an early age being involved in intramural sports, cycling and mountain biking along with running. His real passion for fitness began with the discovery of Crossfit approximately 6 years ago. Since then this passion developed into a Crossfit Level 1 Certification and coaching group classes. Paul’s energy, desire to improve and develop have him on the road to accomplish new heights in his journey of fitness while currently seeking to expand his certifications.